The business community of Nova Scotia, Canada, is bracing itself for an influx of cash and people thanks to a $35 billion CAD Federal Government shipbuilding programme.
Thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created at the contract-winning Irving Shipbuilding Inc (ISI) each year. Anglo Pacific works in partnership with UK2 Nova Scotia, a company that acts for Irving to attract skilled workers, and is gearing up to relocate the many professionals set to move from the UK and fill those roles.
The largest shipbuilding deal in Canadian history, the October 2011 announcement tasks Halifax-based ISI with building 21 combat vessels for the Navy in a $25 billion CAD deal over the next 30 years. The first steel is expected to be cut in late 2012. Estimates suggest that the activity will account for more than 1% of total employment in the province and that real GDP will see a boost of around $800 million CAD each year. Once the warships are complete, a fresh round of government work is expected to be awarded. The news gives the region’s economy a long-term stable outlook.
Mike Wilson, Director of UK2 Nova Scotia commented: “Canada’s traditional immigration processes have changed over recent years meaning that most skilled workers looking to make the move to Nova Scotia will now follow a path of work permits and subsequent residency applications on the back of a job offer. Timelines for this can be very quick, weeks rather than months and years, and Irving is targeting the UK, Glasgow in particular, to find the skills they need in 2012. We’re already handling plenty of relocation enquiries from that direction.”
Jason Diggs, Sales Director for Anglo Pacific said that Nova Scotia was very attractive to Brits as it has a high standard of living and a low crime rate. He added that it was: “English speaking and the warmest province in Canada. It is easy for a newcomer to assimilate to the Halifax way of life and the rugged coastline and emerald mountains of Nova Scotia, perfect for outdoor pursuits, may even remind them of Scotland.”